Palaeoproteomic Profiling of Conservation Layers on a 14th Century Italian Wall Painting.

Ahead of display, a non-original layer was observed on the surface of a fragment of a wall painting by Ambrogio Lorenzetti (active 1319, died 1348/9). FTIR analysis suggested proteinaceous content. Mass spectrometry was used to better characterise this layer and revealed two protein components: sheep and cow glue and chicken and duck egg white. Analysis of post-translational modifications detected several photo-oxidation products, which suggest that the egg experienced prolonged exposure to UV light and was likely applied long before the glue layer. Additionally, glycation products detected may indicate naturally occurring glycoprotein degradation or reaction with a carbohydrate material such as starch, identified by ATR-FTIR in a cross-section of a sample taken from the painting. Palaeoproteomics is shown to provide detailed characterisation of organic layers associated with mural paintings and therefore aids reconstruction of the conservation history of these objects.

Families, nurses and intensive care patients: a review of the literature.

1. Nurses striving to give holistic care to provide quality care for their patients, need to recognize the importance of caring for patients' families. 2. A detailed review of the literature examining the relationships between nurses and intensive care patients' families was undertaken to examine its strengths and weaknesses as a basis for further study. 3. Studies show that although nurses are often in the best position to meet families' needs, their needs are not always met. 4. The building of good relationships with families is essential for nurses, and yet evidence shows that some nurses have difficulties in this area. 5. Good practice is identified and obstacles nurses face in forming relationships with families are explored. 6. Strategies for improving the interaction process between intensive care nurses and patients' families are systematically evaluated.

Nursing activity in general intensive care.

1. In this cost-conscious climate there is a need to make explicit and justify the rationale to support direct patient contact by Registered Nurses. The current shortage of qualified nursing staff means that it is essential that experience and expertise be utilized to the benefit of patients and the service as a whole. 2. This study used a descriptive approach to describe, categorize and quantify the activities of nurses working in a six-bed general intensive care unit. 3. Data were collected using a self-reporting diary log sheet that identified the focus of an individual's activity at 5-minute intervals. All Registered Nurses, on all shifts over a 7-day period, completed log sheets. 4. The results demonstrate that nurses working in this general intensive care unit spent 85% of their time in activities associated with providing direct patient care. However, up to 6% of time was spent undertaking non-nursing duties, and analysis of unit activity provided data to support an increase in the establishment and review of the shift patterns of health care assistants. 5. The findings of the study indicate that nurses in charge of shifts spend 24.1% of their time in managerial and administrative activity; this reduces the amount of time spent in direct patient contact.